Circa 1949 Major League Cap Collection with Outstanding Provenance (6)

This outstanding high-grade collection of six Major League baseball caps, dating from circa 1949, is all the more noteworthy for its impeccable provenance. Each cap has been consigned directly by Gene Bauman, who was the visiting-team batboy at St. Louis' Sportsman's Park between the years 1948 and 1950. The Bauman family is well known in St. Louis baseball circles, as Gene's father, Bob, was a longtime Major League trainer with both the St. Louis Browns (1937-1953) and St. Louis Cardinals (1954-1988). In addition to these caps, Gene has also consigned to this auction a large collection of vintage team-signed baseballs (ninety balls total, presented in twelve separate lots) that were handed down to him by his father. Ideally, all six caps are accompanied by handwritten index cards signed by Gene Bauman indicating when and from whom he received the caps. 1) Washington Senators. The navy-blue felt cap features a white embroidered "W" on the front and a "Wilson" label on the headband. No size tag is present. The number "20" is chain-stitched in navy blue on the headband, just to the right of the manufacturer's label. On Bauman's accompanying card, he writes that he received this cap in either 1949 or 1950 from trainer "Gus" Lentz. According to the Baseball Hall of Fame uniform database ("Dressed to the Nines"), this style cap was worn by the Senators from 1938 through 1947; however, during the three-year period 1948 through 1950 (Bauman's tenure as visiting-team batboy) it was only used with 1949 road uniforms. Pitcher Paul Calvert wore number "20" with Washington in 1949. The hat displays moderate wear throughout, including soiling to the headband and the underside of the brim. 2) Philadelphia Athletics. The royal-blue felt hat features a white embroidered "A" on the front and both a "Spalding" and "Mitchell & Ness" label on the headband. The size tag ("7") is situated directly to the right of the Mitchell & Ness label. The number "23" is written in vintage blue ink on the underside of the brim. According to Bauman's accompanying card he received this cap in either 1949 or 1950 from the club's trainer ("Tadley"). Number "23" was worn by Pitcher Bill McCahan in 1949 and by pitcher Bob Hooper in 1950. The cap displays light wear, including a small tear along the underside of the brim. 3) Detroit Tigers. The navy-blue felt cap features an orange embroidered "D" on the front and an orange button on top. Both a "Wilson" label and "6 7/8" size tag are located on the headband. No name or uniform number is present. According to Bauman's accompanying card he received this cap in 1950 from the Detroit trainer. The cap displays very light wear, including two tiny tears along the top side of the brim. 4) Chicago White Sox. The black felt cap displays a white embroidered "C" on the front and a "McAuliffe" label on the headband. The size ("7 1/8") and player's name "Gettel" are written in vintage blue ink on the headband. According to Bauman's accompanying card, he received this cap in either 1949 or 1950 from trainer "Packy" Schwartz. Pitcher Al Gettel only played with Chicago in 1948 and 1949. The cap displays moderate wear, including a tear along the headband. 5) Chicago White Sox. The black felt cap features the word "Sox" embroidered in white and red on the front. Both a "Wilson" label and a "7 1/2" size tag appear on the headband. The stamped letters "C" and "EZ" appear on the underside of the headband. No number or player's name appears in the cap. On Bauman's accompanying card, he writes that he received this cap in either 1949 or 1950 from trainer "Packy" Schwartz. However, it should be noted that according to the Baseball Hall of Fame uniform database, this style cap, with two-tone letters on the front, was first introduced by the White Sox in 1951. The cap displays moderate wear, including soiling on the headband. 6) Chicago White Sox. The black felt cap features the word "Sox" embroidered in white and red on the front (slightly different style than the previously listed cap). Both a "MacGregor Goldsmith" insignia and the number "7" (size) are stamped in black on the headband. No number or player's name appears in the cap. On Bauman's accompanying card, he writes that he received this cap in either 1949 or 1950 from trainer "Packy" Schwartz. However, it should be noted that according to the Baseball Hall of Fame uniform database, this style cap, with two-tone letters on the front, was first introduced by the White Sox in 1951. It appears that something was once affixed and then removed along the headband (light paper residue and glue outline), otherwise the cap displays little-to-no wear. Total: 6 caps. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000+.SOLD FOR $1,880

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